NTD Highlights of the Week: January 4th

As we ring in the New Year, 2013 promises to be an exciting time to be involved in the fight to raise support and awareness for neglected tropical diseases. As the world becomes more interconnected and global warming changes disease patterns, NTDs are increasingly spreading across borders – including right here at home. For example, Slate recently published an article addressing the return of dengue in the United States. In the past few years, dengue has sickened hundreds in Florida and other southern states. Experts warn that the combination of the virus, a lack of immunity to dengue and widespread mosquitoes provide the perfect storm of conditions for larger dengue outbreaks in the U.S.

As the spread of NTDs adds urgency to the fight, scientists continue to work every day to develop innovative ideas to combat NTDs. In a trial experiment in Africa, researchers are testing the ability of prawns to combat schistosomiasis. A parasitic disease that can be fatal, schistosomiasis is spread through water snails. Prawns are the primary consumers of snails, so researchers hope that re-introducing prawns to rivers at the African test site will help decrease transmission of the disease. In addition to innovative experiments, every week there are reports of new scientific breakthroughs that will help save lives. Just last week, the FDA approved a drug to fight drug resistant tuberculosis, the first new drug for the disease in over four decades. Developed by Johnson & Johnson, the drug cures patients in less time than older treatment options. It is these kinds of innovations and breakthroughs that demonstrate the power of research investments and the importance of research for global efforts to eliminate neglected diseases. Be sure to check back soon for new NTD highlights!